Nation

5,000 nursing graduates unemployed

THERE are some 5,000 trained nurses who have yet to seek employment following graduation from private institutions of higher education last year, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

“According to the Nursing Board, there are 5,000 graduates from private institutions of higher education who have yet to apply for an annual practising certificate last year.

“The figure includes those who may have furthered their studies or sought employment elsewhere after graduating,” he said when answering a question raised by Dr Lee Boon Chye (PKR-Gopeng) in Parliament.

Liow said the ministry had taken steps to address the issue by tightening conditions for nursing courses while imposing a moratorium on the setting up of new private nursing colleges.